Erik Jan Hanussen: Hitler’s Jewish Clairvoyant: An Illustrated Lecture and Screening with Mel Gordon, Author of "Erik Jan Hanussen: Hitler’s Jewish Clairvoyant", Observatory, June 3

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We at Morbid Anatomy are SO excited to announce the return to Observatory of one of our all-time favorite speakers, that silver-tongued rogue scholar Mel Gordon, author of, among many other books, Grand Guiginol: Theatre of Fear and Terror, The Seven Addictions and Five Professions of Anita Berber; and Voluptuous Panic: The Erotic World of Weimar Berlin.

On Sunday, June 3, Mr. Gordon will be giving an illustrated lecture at Observatory based on his research for the book Erik Jan Hanussen: Hitler's Jewish Clairvoyant followed by a special screening of "lost" film footage from Hanussen's 1919 "Hypnosis: Hanussen's First Adventure," a Caligari-like story of sex magic and the occult. Books will also be available for sale and signing.

For those who have not yet seen Mr. Gordon speak, trust me; this is a night not to be missed. Full details follow; hope very much to see you there!

Erik Jan Hanussen: Hitler's Jewish Clairvoyant: An Illustrated Lecture and Screening with Mel Gordon, Author of "Erik Jan Hanussen: Hitler's Jewish Clairvoyant"
An illustrated lecture and screening of "lost footage" with Mel Gordon, author of Erik Jan Hanussen: Hitler's Jewish Clairvoyant and Grand Guiginol: Theatre of Fear and Terror
Date: Sunday, June 3 (please note date change from Monday, June 4)
Time: 8:00
Admission: $8
Presented by Morbid Anatomy

"Historians digging into the archives to reconstruct the chronicle of the Twentieth Century will have to deal with this strange phenomenon of Erik Jan Hanussen, born Herschmann Steinschneider in the humble home of a poor Jewish actor in Vienna. It will be their task to unravel a complex maze of reality and legend, myth and romance, to reach the core of the true personality of Steinschneider, alias Hanussen, and his influence on one of the most significant chapters of European history, the ascent and reign of Adolf Hitler." --Pierre van Paassen, Redbook Magazine, "The Date of Hitler's Fall," May 1942

When Pierre van Paassen, the prominent Dutch author and foreign correspondent, wrote the above for McCall's Redbook Magazine, the "amazing exploits of Erik Jan Hanussen" were still hot international filler. What could have been more titillating than the true and enigmatic story of a Jewish mystic who helped usher in the Third Reich before  becoming one of its first victims?

Tonight, join Mel Gordon--author of Erik Jan Hanussen: Hitler's Jewish Clairvoyant--for an illustrated lecture on the amazing story of Hitler's Jewish Clairvoyant featuring a special screening of "lost" film footage from Hanussen's 1919 "Hypnosis: Hanussen's First Adventure," a Caligari-like story of sex magic and the occult, and other documentary sources. Books will also be available for sale and signing.

Mel Gordon is the author of Erik Jan Hanussen: Hitler's Jewish Clairvoyant, Grand Guiginol: Theatre of Fear and Terror, Voluptious Panic: The Erotic World of Weimar Berlin, and many other books. Voluptious Panicwas the first in-depth and illustrated book on the topic of erotic Weimar; The lavish tome was praised by academics and inspired the establishment of eight neo-Weimar nightclubs as well as the Dresden Dolls and a Marilyn Manson album. Now, Mel Gordon is completing a companion volume for Feral House Press, entitled Horizontal Collaboration: The Erotic World of Paris, 1920-1946. He also teaches directing, acting, and history of theater at University of California at Berkeley.

More here.

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Dying For You to See Them

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Artist and illustrator Ben Brown have created these limited edition dead-undead masterpieces.

Ben Brown Amy Winehouse

Ben Brown Jimmi Hendrix

Ben Brown Sid Vicious

Situated in Australia, Ben Brown seems to focus on the stylistic and colourful use of the comic book style.

Along with the likes of Buddy Holly, James Dean, and Kurt Cobain, he uses other iconic images such as Spiderman, Batman, John Wayne, A Clockwork Orange, Rambo and even Ziggy Stardust.

Each signed print can be bought from his shop, prices given on request.

 

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Anatomical Typewriter Sculptures by Jeremy Mayer

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Anatomical Typewriter Sculptures by Jeremy Mayer

Anatomical Typewriter Sculptures by Jeremy Mayer

Anatomical Typewriter Sculptures by Jeremy Mayer

Anatomical Typewriter Sculptures by Jeremy Mayer

Wow. Words can’t describe how cool this is (especially given his process)! Jeremy Mayer has mastered the disassembling and reassembling of old typewriters into anatomical figures, both human and animal. The figures fit together seamlessly in an intricate, delicate, and yet also robust way. It seems like typewriters are the perfect medium to convey the beauty of the human (or really any living) form. Be sure to check out his portfolio for more amazing anatomical works.

I disassemble typewriters and then reassemble them into full-scale, anatomically correct human figures. I do not solder, weld, or glue these assemblages together- the process is entirely cold assembly. I do not introduce any part to the assemblage that did not come from a typewriter.

 

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Psychedelic Psilocybin Mushroom Tourism and Anatomical Waxes: Tonight and Beyond at Observatory!

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Tonight at Observatory, hope to see you for a screening of Kat Green's intriguing looking film "The Secret Life of Mushrooms," a documentary about psychedelic Psilocybin mushroom tourism in Mexico, followed by a Q and A with the filmmakers. Also coming up: workshops withc ceroplast Sigrid Sarda in wax anatomical votives and life and death masks; "Drawing from the Bestiary" class with Saul Chernick; an upcoming lecture with Mel Gordon about Erik Jan Hanussen: Hitler’s Jewish Clairvoyant; and the screening of a film detailing the unexpectedly dark history of Jell-O.

Full list of upcoming events follows; Hope to see you at one--if not more!--of these terrific events.

"The Secret Life of Mushrooms" -- Screening and Q and A with the Filmmakers
Screening of the film "The Secret Life of Mushrooms" with the film's producer/director Kathleen Green and interviewer Dan Glass
Date: TONIGHT Monday, May 21
Time: 8:00
Admission: $5
Presented by Morbid Anatomy

"Kat Green's documentary on mushroom tourism in Mexico is a valuable and insightful examination of the fallout when global culture encounters indigenous sacred traditions. At a time when most of the focus is on ayahuasca tourism in the Amazon, Kat's documentary reminds us that mushroom tourism continues, as it has since the 60s. Well worth viewing!" – Dr. Dennis McKenna, co-author of The Invisible Landscape: Mind, Hallucinogens, and the I Ching

Psilocybin mushrooms were first brought into the public consciousness in the late 1950's after R. Gordon Wasson discovered the ceremonial mushroom rituals of the Mazatec Indians in Mexico and published his findings in Life magazine.?? Huautla de Jimenez – the largest town in the Sierra Mazateca – was made famous amongst spiritual seekers, resulting in a hippie invasion to the remote mountain town that lasted over a decade. Today, mushrooms are still commonly used for healing, and have become a very public symbol of Huautla's pride in their culture.?? The Secret Life of Mushrooms features interviews with anthropologist and author of The Devil's Book of Culture, Ben Feinberg, local curandera Ines Cortes Rodriguez, Mazatec ritual specialist Edward Abse, and a wide variety of local historians, musicians, and business owners, as journalist Dan Glass investigates the long term cultural effects that outsiders have had on the small mountain town in the last 50 years.
Tonight, join filmmakers Kathleen Green and Dan Glass for a screening of The Secret Life of Mushrooms at Observatory, followed by a brief Q & A. You can find out more about the film by clicking here.

Kathleen Green (Producer/Director – The Secret Life of Mushrooms) Brooklyn filmmaker Kathleen Green has been working in film, video, and live event production since 1997. In that time, she has created documentaries, music videos, short films, and visual art with the goals of finding untold stories, exploring new ways to capture dance on camera, and generally making pretty things to look at.  Her work has been screened at the Dance on Camera Festival, Coney Island Film Festival, the New York Tango Film Festival, the 2007 Americans for the Arts Convention, the Pioneer Theatre, Collective: Unconscious, the Bowery Poetry Club, on the Fuse network, and at various galleries in Berlin. She has also worked with HBO, MTV, MSNBC, the Sundance Channel, VH1, Fuse, and the History Channel as a freelance editor and post supervisor.  She is currently developing a non-fiction series about fire artists and their work entitled Playing With Fire, and the dance film, Strange Attractors. 

Dan Glass (Interviewer – The Secret Life of Mushrooms) Dan Glass has written travel, science, and culture stories about such diverse subjects as solar eclipse chasing, Puerto Rican senior citizen bicycle gangs, the psychological effect of viewing earth from space, and flophouses in Coney Island, among others. He's traveled through over 40 countries on five continents, with highlights including excursions to Ethiopia's Omo Valley to find ritual stickfighting battles, solo horse treks through central Mongolia, and riverboat trips 800 miles down the Congo River. His work has been featured in outlets including Wired, NPR, Discover, and Playboy Online. He lives in New York City.

And onward and upwards:

You can find out more about all events by clicking here.

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Morbid Anatomies! Max Raabe! Amazing Collections! Victorian Machines! The Green Fairy! Post-Mortem Photography! Announcing Season Two of The Midnight Archive.

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A new season of The Midnight Archive--that wonderful web-based documentary series centered around Brooklyn's Observatory--will be launching shortly, and series creator Ronni Thomas has just posted an exciting new teaser to give you a taste of what is to come, which, as you will see, will include featurettes on yours truly, the amazing Weimar-revivalist/performance artist Max Raabe, the time-traveling collection of Evan Michelson, the Victorian machines of Tim Mullen, Stanley Burns and his collection of Post-Mortem photography, and the green fairy herself, absinthe!

You can view the excellent teaser by clicking "play" above.

And here is what series creator Thomas has to say about this upcoming season:

Coming up shortly - after a brief hiatus the Midnight Archive web series is on its way back complete with all new things to make your eyes bulge. This season shifts focus to some prolific collections and their owners including our gal Joanna Ebenstein (Morbid Anatomy/Brooklyn Observatory) and the elegant and charming Evan Michelson (owner of Obscura Antiques in NYC) - but we also sprinkle in a decent dose of the old who/what/where/why's of the obscure. We're excited to get it underway and always excited to hear your feedback - prepare for a great stretch! 

For more on the series, to see any of the episodes, or to sign up for the mailing list and thus be alerted to future uploads, visit The Midnight Archive website by clicking here. You can also "like" it on Facebook--and be alerted in this way--by clicking here.

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Proteus Gowanus 2012 Benefit: The Nomad Mixer

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Morbid Anatomy Library's mother space, Proteus Gowanus, is having a benefit party! Invitation follows. Hope very much to see you there!

Wayfarers, wanderers…
tramps, train-hoppers, drifters, day-trippers, pilgrims, globetrotters, vagabonds, lost souls, rolling stones and anyone who’s ever felt the urge to go beyond.

As our Migration year draws to a close we invite you to celebrate the things we’ve seen, how far we’ve come and where we’re going next.

Join us
Saturday, June 2, 7-10 pm
for
the Nomad Mixer

A winding, art-packed romp through our labyrinthine halls and courtyards with music, food, drink, and exotic experiences ‘round every bend.

F E A T U R I N G

Intimate encounters with the literary Gypsies of The Poetry Brothel
Uncanny Tarot card readings
The runaway-train sound of the Union St. Preservation Society Band
Holus Bolus transforms our alleyway into a Nomad Spectacle
The incredible steam-punk Seed Machine
A transformative Map-Your-Life workshop
Writing challenges courtesy of the Writhing Society
Shift Beds for transients and would-be horizontals
and a
Live Auction of Extra-Ordinary Experiences!

Food generously provided by Damascus Bakery of Atlantic Avenue, Sahadi’s of Atlantic Avenue and Fletcher’s Brooklyn Barbecue, opening later this summer at 433 Third Avenue. Beer lovingly provided by Brooklyn Brewery.

More information--and tickets!--here.

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Anatomy of a turnaround; Vector starts new era with pool groundbreaking

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As the walls of the old Easter Seals pool came down last Wednesday, Bill Ruff thought back to the questions that surrounded Vector Rehabilitation's decision to buy a leaky pool 19 months ago.

Are you crazy?' That's what some people asked me. I looked them straight in the eye and said, Right. I'm nuts. What's your point?

Today, the chief executive officer of the renamed Vector Physical Therapy and Aquatic Center and the board of directors he works with are looking more like visionaries. The state-of-the art heated therapy pool is the centerpiece of an estimated $2.6 million overhaul of 3289 Edgewood Road in Eureka. The former owner, Easter Seals of Northern California, cited a flow of red ink and, despite community uproar, shuttered the pool and adult daycare facility in April 2010.

Heated to 92 degrees Fahrenheit, the new 52-foot by 18-foot pool will open to the public late fall. Ruff expects to add four to eight full-time equivalent jobs -- half of them with benefits. His payroll will jump 30 to 40 percent, and his Medicare reimbursement will jump 10 percent by adding anywhere from 400 to 800 new clients a year. And that's just for starters.

The Humboldt Del Norte Medical Society wrote a letter in support of the project and Humboldt State kinesiology professor Justus Ortega is eager to start research projects to compare pool and land therapy benefits for walking and fall prevention.

Heated pool therapy is non-weight-bearing,

This is going to put us at a level I don't think any of us comprehended when we started, Ruff said. We'll have community education classes, top of the line physical therapy, a partnership with HSU to train students and produce research, and a place special needs students from local schools can use.

They are so community-oriented, Ortega said, When you say, 'Hey, can we do this? Their first answer is yes. They say they'll find a way to make it happen. They're solution-oriented.

About 100 former student and community users have been looking for a solution since the pool closed.

When are you going to get that pool open is all I hear from doctors I visit and people who call, Ruff said. People are still asking if I'm crazy, but now that we've broken ground and are gearing up for active programs, it's becoming reality for 90 percent of the people.

Go here to see the original:
Anatomy of a turnaround; Vector starts new era with pool groundbreaking

Learn to Make Your Own Anatomical Wax Votives or Life and Death Masks with Artist and Ceroplast Sigrid Sarda at Observatory, This June!

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Some of you out there might remember a recent post on this blog about the work of one of our favorite contemporary artists, self taught ceroplast Sigrid Sarda, whom you might also have seen profiled on the "Wax" episode of The Midnight Archive (see above) or on the fantastic i09.com.

We at Morbid Anatomy are very, very delighted to announce that Sigrid will be bringing her amazing craftsmanship (see her wax self-portrait-in-progress photographed above) to Observatory to teach two special classes developed as part of the nascent Morbid Anatomy Art Academy. The first class, Life and Death Mask Making Workshop, will take place on Sunday, June 3rd, and the second class. Anatomical Wax Votive Making Workshop will take place Sunday June 24th. In both classes, students will leave with their own finished piece to take home, and the knowledge to make their own pieces in the future.

Class size is very limited; if interested, please RSVP to morbidanatomy [at] gmail.com.

Full details follow; hope to see you at one or both of these terrific classes!

Life and Death Mask Making Workshop with Artist Sigrid Sarda
Date: Sunday, June 3
Time: 10 AM - 4 PM
Admission: $100 (includes $40 materials fee)
*** Limited class size; Must RSVP to morbidanatomy [at] gmail.com
This class is part of The Morbid Anatomy Art Academy

For many centuries and in many civilizations, artisans have created what are called "Life Masks" or "Death Masks" cast from the faces of the famous or the infamous to preserve their likeness--living or dead--for posterity. In this class, students will learn to create their very own Life Masks working with alginate--a non-toxic seaweed-based mold making product that is easy on the skin--and plaster. Students will pair up and cast one another, but don't be alarmed; the workshop's instructor Ms. Sarda assures us that you will love this experience, and that most everyone who has been cast comes out feeling relaxed to the point of jello, with the extra insentive of a free facial. All materials are included, and each student will leave class home with their face immortalized in plaster.
The day's schedule:

  • Partnering up and casting
  • Adding plaster to the negative mold
  • An hour break for lunch (give or take depending on how fast the plaster dries)
  • Demolding and cleaning the cast
  • Touching up any imperfections in the plaster cast

Warning: If you are someone who is extremely claustrophobic, this is not for you. Dress casually and have fun!

Sigrid Sarda is self taught in the art of ceroplastics. She has been featured on such programs as The Midnight Archive and will be appearing on TV's Oddities this June. She will be showing her work in London this fall. You can find out more here, here and here.

Anatomical Wax Votive Making Workshop with Artist Sigrid Sarda
Date: Sunday, June 24
Time: 10 AM - 4 PM
Admission: $145 (includes $63 materials fee)
*** Limited class size; Must RSVP to morbidanatomy [at] gmail.com
This class is part of The Morbid Anatomy Art Academy

The Votive: Expressing or symbolizing a wish, desire, or vow; Offered, given, undertaken, performed or dedicated in fulfillment of or in accordance with a vow.

Anatomical votives--or replicas of diseased body parts left at a holy place either in hopes of curing ailments or in gratitude for having been healed--have been widely utilized since ancient times. Common media for votives have included terra cotta, marble, silver, and, our personal favorite, wax. In this class, expert wax worker and artist Sigrid Sarda will teach students to create an uncannily lifelike wax votive of the body part of their choice. Each student will leave class with a finished wax votive as well as a knowledge of mold making, wax craft, and the history and meaning of the anatomical votive.
Students are encouraged to focus on an afflicted body part for which they seek relief, or, if they are lacking any unfortunate ailments--be it an ear ache, psoriasis, or that pesky cutaneous horn--to choose a body part that is symbolic to them in anticipation of a particular wish or prayer. Symbolic meanings include the hand which traditionally equates to justice, strength, pledge of faith, power or sincerity, and the foot equating to humility and respect. If that doesn’t suffice we’ll make one up as we go along.
Using an ancient formula created by practitioners of wax modeling, you will create an object for your prayer. The steps taken to reach the desired goal are: first, casting your body part into alginate and creating a negative mold; second, pouring wax into the mold; and finally, demold and clean your votive.

The class will begin with a short talk on the history of votives followed by casting the the body part of your choice. Next, we will take a short break for lunch. following which we will de-mold and clean your lovely wax votive. Please dress casually (it’s a bit messy and very fun). All you need is to bring yourself. All materials are provided, and you get to leave class with your very own votive.

Sigrid Sarda is self taught in the art of ceroplastics. She has been featured on such programs as The Midnight Archive and will be appearing on TV's Oddities this June. She will be showing her work in London this fall. You can find out more here, here and here.

You can find out more about Sigrid and her work here, here and here. You can find out about the classes and Observatory by clicking here. To sign up for the class, please RSVP to morbidanatomy [at] gmail.com. All photos by Sigrd Sarda of her own work.

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The Visible Human Project Light Paintings

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Croix Gagnon Frank Schott 1231 visible human project (4)
Click to enlarge

Croix Gagnon Frank Schott 1231 visible human project (1)
Click to enlarge

Croix Gagnon Frank Schott 1231 visible human project (3)
Click to enlarge

Croix Gagnon Frank Schott 1231 visible human project (2)
Click to enlarge

In 1993, a convicted murderer was executed.  His body was given to science, segmented, and photographed for medical research.  In 2011, we used photographer to put it back together.

12:31 is a series of photographs concepted by Croix Gagnon and photographed by Frank Schott.  The process of making these haunting images is similar to creating the long-exposure light paintings we’ve all seen become popular over the past few years. The images Croix and Frank managed to capture through this process are other worldly!

The Process:
An animation of the sequence of 1,871 male cadaver slices from the Visible Human Project was created.  This animation was then played full screen on a laptop and moved through a dark environment while being photographed. The result is a series of ghostly misshapen images of the Visible Human cadaver in space.

Croix Gagnon Frank Schott 1231 visible human project (1)

 

View the entire 12:31 series here!

 

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‘Grey’s Anatomy’ actor Kevin McKidd channels his Scottish roots for charity album — VIDEO

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Actor Kevin McKidd may sport a growly American accent as Dr. Owen Hunt on Greys Anatomy, but the Scotland-natives true roots shine through on his upcoming album, The Speyside Sessions, a collection of traditional Scottish songs.

Admittedly, he says, the album is not the thing youd expect, but ultimately, it was a chance for the actor to reconnect with his roots, honor his late grandfather (who first exposed him to Scottish music), and something good for the world. Recorded two years ago with old friends during a five-day jam session in his native land, the albums proceeds will benefit Save the Children, a charity for which McKidd is an ambassador.

It seemed like a good fit to bring all these people from my past and from my upbringing and all these songs that were important to me [together], he says. The record goes on sale June 15 and will be available on iTunes and via other retailers.

But one thing Greys fans shouldnt expect? Cameos from any of his co-stars. Well, not this time around, at least. They are some great singers but sadly they all had Christmas plans. It was hard to get any of them to come to the wild highlands of Scotland with me. I would have loved it if they did, he says. But theres always The Speyside Sessions 2.

Below, check out an exclusive look behind the scenes of the project, narrated by Ewan McGregor.

Read more from the original source:
‘Grey’s Anatomy’ actor Kevin McKidd channels his Scottish roots for charity album — VIDEO

The Anatomy of a Videogame-Scare Story

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How weak correlations and scant research were spun up into an argument about how videogames and porn are leading to "the demise of guys."

People playing the game Overkill (Reuters).

If the name Philip Zimbardo rings a bell, you may have read about the famous study he ran called the Stanford Prison Experiment -- a groundbreaking study that showed how assuming a given role could change people's behavior toward others based on the power relationship they shared with them.

Forty-one years later, the former Stanford professor has co-authored an essay arguing that video games and pornography are to blame for what he calls "the demise of guys." The op-ed stokes fears of a testosterone-fueled implosion among young men -- the kind of apocalyptic emergency that threatens the country's future if society doesn't act right now.

The gist of the piece is this: violent and sexualized digital media are addictive. Consuming too much of it, as young Americans are doing, risks turning them into vegetables incapable of negotiating the real world. From this, we can conclude that an entire cohort is slipping down the drain as we speak.

The problem is that the assertions outstrip the evidence and research. The framing and argument are flawed from start to finish. Here, we break those problems down in detail.

Zimbardo and his co-author open with a rhetorical question:

As a psychologist, Zimbardo ought to know better than to prime his readers to accept an affirmative answer in the first sentence without being shown any evidence.

He continues:

Curious. Perhaps the research is coming, you think. Wrong. The first study isn't mentioned for another seven paragraphs. When Zimbardo does bring it up, it turns out the experiment was carried out in 1954, was performed on rats, and merely proved the existence of the brain's pleasure center (a major discovery at the time, but hardly the resounding proof that Zimbardo needs for his human addiction thesis).

More:
The Anatomy of a Videogame-Scare Story

Kyle Bean’s Anatomical Paper Heart

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Kyle Bean Heart for Men's Health magazine

Kyle Bean Heart for Men's Health magazine
Photography by Owen Silverwood

There’s something fascinating to me about paper sculptures and the people who create them.  The spatial thinking, dexterity, patience, craftsmanship, etc., is what I truly admire.  England-based Kyle Bean, is a designer who specializes in creating these wonderful paper sculptures.  His work has been featured in numbers international publications, including the heart above for a Men’s Health heart disease article.  He’s also been recognized in publications for his incredible concepts and craftsmanship.

View more of Kyle’s work at kylebean.co.uk

 

[via NOTCOT]

 

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Anatomical Illustrations by Sarah Goodreau

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Sarah Goodreau anatomy illustrations kidney intestines lungs heart

Prolific and extremely talented illustrator Sarah Goodreau created this little set of organs and anatomical illustrations. Having gone to undergrad with Sarah, I always admired her use of color and texture, the above being a great example. So I’m pleased as punch to see her doing some anatomical art! She is definitely an artist to keep your eye on, head on over to her site and see what other illustrations she has cooking.

 

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Café or Cabaret de L’Enfer (Hell’s Café), Paris, France, Late 19th Century

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Good friend and Midnight Archive auteur Ronni Thomas just brought Paris's Café de L’Enfer to my attention. Between this and the equally delightful (and previously discussed) Cabaret du Néant (or Tavern of the Dead), I am becoming stronger in my conviction that fin de siècle Paris was probably the most perfect place ever.
As described on the National Geographic Website:

MARAIS
Hell's Swells

A hot spot called Hell's Café lured 19th-century Parisians to the city's Montmartre neighborhood—like the Marais—on the Right Bank of the Seine. With plaster lost souls writhing on its walls and a bug-eyed devil's head for a front door, le Café de l'Enfer may have been one of the world's first theme restaurants. According to one 1899 visitor, the café's doorman—in a Satan suit—welcomed diners with the greeting, "Enter and be damned!" Hell's waiters also dressed as devils. An order for three black coffees spiked with cognac was shrieked back to the kitchen as: "Three seething bumpers of molten sins, with a dash of brimstone intensifier!"

Found via Retronaut who sourced it from Cool Stuff in Paris; all images via Retronaut; more to be found at the original link.

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"Drawing from the Bestiary: Animal Anatomy of Real and Imagined Creatures," Class with Artist Saul Chernick, Observatory, June 25-July 16

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I am very excited to announce "Drawing from the Bestiary: Animal Anatomy of Real and Imagined Creatures, a new class developed specially for The Morbid Anatomy Art Academy by one of our favorite artists, Saul Chernick. This class will teach students--via illustrated lectures and in-class projects including paper puppets and the creation of bestiary pages--"to use observational and imaginative drawing skills in tandem to capture the essential qualities of their subject" and "learn to draw animals (real, mythic, and otherwise) with greater skill and sensitivity."

You can see some of Chernick's wonderful artworks above; you can see more of them by clicking here. The class will take place on 4 consectutive Mondays, from June 25 to July 16th. The full class description follows. Also, please note that the class size is limited to 15, so if you are interested, please RSVP as soon as possible to morbidanatomy [at] gmail.com.

Drawing from the Bestiary: Animal Anatomy of Real and Imagined Creatures with Saul Chernick
A 4-part class with Artist Saul Chernick, M.F.A., Rutgers University
Dates: Mondays June 25, July 2, July 9 and July 16th (4 consecutive Mondays)
Time: 6:30-9:00 PM
Class Fee: $120
***Class size limited to 15; Must RSVP to morbidanatomy [at] gmail.com
This class is part of The Morbid Anatomy Art Academy

Contemporary artist and arts educator Saul Chernickis renowned for gorgeous artworks featuring convincingly corporeal depictions of imaginary or mythical creatures rendered in the style of Medieval and early Renaissance woodcuts from Northern Europe. Observatory is very pleased to announce a new workshop developed by Saul Chernick specially for the Morbid Anatomy Art Academy. In this class, Chernick will teach students--via illustrated lectures and in-class projects including paper puppets and bestiary pages--"to use observational and imaginative drawing skills in tandem to capture the essential qualities of their subject" and "learn to draw animals (real, mythic, and otherwise) with greater skill and sensitivity."

Full class description follows; you can see more of Chernick's fantastic work by clicking here. Class size limited to 15; Please RSVP to morbidanatomy [at] gmail.com.

Course Description
Open to artists of all levels, the goal of this workshop is help participants learn to draw animals (real, mythic, and otherwise) with greater skill and sensitivity. Through exercises in drawing and paper puppetry, participants will gain a deeper understanding of the skeletal/muscular structures of most mammals, reptiles, and birds. Participants will also learn to use observational and imaginative drawing skills in tandem to capture the essential qualities of their subject and create works of convincing visual fiction!
What to expect

  • Participants will cull images from the web to create a dossier on the animal(s) that interest them
  • Participants will fashion movable paper puppets to understand how their chosen animal moves
  • Participants will draw studies of the skeletal and muscular structures of animals
  • Participants will use the medium of their choice to create a Bestiary page entry that depicts an animal situated in an environment

Materials
What to bring to the first class:

  • Choose 1-3 animals and gather pictures on the web. Be sure to get images of their skeletons in profile. Please print these as they may be hard to use on a phone screen.
  • 3-5 sheets of Bristol Board Paper 9" x 12" or larger
  • Pencils & erasers
  • Scissors
  • Xacto or utility knife
  • Glue

What to bring for subsequent classes:

  • White or tinted drawing paper 16" x 20" or 18" x 24"
  • Tracing paper (same size as drawing paper)
  • Mechanical and/or regular pencils (2h, hb, 2b, 4b)

Optional:

  • Markers, watercolors, gouache, ink, brushes, chalk/oil pastels, colored pencils, Caran D’Ache, collage papers, etc (we’ll discuss further in detail!)

Saul Chernick, M.F.A., Rutgers University, is a visual artist and educator. Chernick has exhibited internationally in galleries and museums including the Aldrich Museum of Contemporary Art, the Bronx Museum of Art, the Jewish Museum of Art, as well as Max Protetch and Meulensteen Galleries in New York City. He has taught art for the public school system, the 92nd Street Y, Cooper Union, Parson's School of Design, and the Museum of Modern Art. He is currently the Professional Development Coordinator for the Joan Mitchell Foundation where he coaches New York artists in teaching art to young people throughout city. His work can be seen at http://www.saulchernick.com.

All images are by Saul Chernick and include, top to bottom:

  1. Field Urchin, 2011, from a series of studies in which he attempted to impose the proportions of cherubs onto horses.
  2. Desktop 2013, 2010, Ink, Watercolor, & Opaque White on Paper
  3. Heavenly Touch , 2009, Ink, Watercolor, & Opaque White on Paper
  4. Guilty Pleasures, 2010, Ink, Watercolor, & Opaque White on Paper
  5. Ars Gratia Artis, 2010, Ink on Paper

You can found out more here. As mentioned above, class size is limited to 15, so if you are interested, please RSVP as soon as you are able to morbidanatomy [at] gmail.com.

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You Are Here Prints Back in Stock

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Our favorite “You Are Here” letter press prints are back in stock at the Street Anatomy store for those that missed out the last time around!

You Are Here poster by Roll&Tumble press available at the Street Anatomy store

 

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JOB OPENING: Information Services Librarian, New York Academy of Medicine, New York City

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The Malloch Rare Book Room at the New York Academy of Medicine.

For all you wonderful librarians out there who also happen to be interested in the history of medicine, I have an exciting announcement to make: The New York Academy of Medicine is advertising for a new opening for Information Services Librarian!

Full details follow; Hope one of you ends up in this role!

Information Services Librarian
Center for the History of Medicine and Public Health
The New York Academy of Medicine

Mission
The New York Academy of Medicine advances the health of people in cities. An independent organization since 1847, NYAM addresses the health challenges facing the world's urban populations through interdisciplinary approaches to policy leadership, education, community engagement and innovative research.

Drawing on the expertise of diverse partners worldwide and more than 2,000 elected Fellows from across the professions, our current priorities are

  • To create environments in cities that support healthy aging
  • To strengthen systems that prevent disease and promote the public's health
  • To implement interventions that eliminate health disparities
  • Summary and Description

Summary and Description
The Center for the History of Medicine and Public Health is NYAM’s newest center and provides access to and enhances awareness of NYAM important research collections in medicine, public health and their history. The aim of the new Center is to build bridges among an interdisciplinary community of scholars, educators, clinicians, curatorial and conservation professionals and the general public.

The NYAM Research Library
The NYAM collections, which opened its to the general public in 1878, include over 500,000 volumes, 275,000 portraits and illustrations and around 400,000 pamphlets in its Research and Rare Books and Historical sections. NYAM is the only specialized research library in NYC offering access to medical and health information for members of the general public, a mission the Information Services Librarian will be critical in fulfilling.

The Research Library collection comprises monographs in medicine, public health and health policy, an extensive journal collection, grey literature, the various databases, and primary and secondary materials in the history of medicine, public health, science and other health-related disciplines. The Research Library collection is supported by an extensive reference collection of medical bibliography, biography, biographical dictionaries, dictionaries and library catalogues, as well as books on the history of books and printing.

The Research Library forms part of NYAM’s Center for the History of Medicine and Public Health. The Center is made up of the Research Library, Rare Book and Historical Collections and Conservation Laboratory. The Information Services librarian will function as the main contact person for users of the Research Library.
The Center for the History of Medicine and Public Health

In addition to the Research Library, the Center for the History of Medicine and Public Health’s  Rare Book and Historical Collections include a rare book collection of approximately 35,000 volumes, with manuscripts and archives dating from the 17th century B.C.E. to the present.  Books from the 17th and 18th centuries are another particular area of strength, as are materials related to the history of medicine in the City of New York.  Currently, the Rare Book and Historical Collections support a variety of programs, including two residential fellowships and an annual lecture series.

The Gladys Brooks Book and Paper Conservation Laboratory was established in 1982 for the express purpose of caring for the NYAM collections.  In addition to its preservation mandate, the Lab plays an important role in the training of future generations of conservators through its internship and volunteer programs and offers professional educational opportunities through a robust calendar of workshops and lectures.

Summary and Description
The NYAM Research Library is looking for a dedicated and enthusiastic librarian to provide information and reference services to NYAM Fellows and staff, members of the general public, and middle and high school students. The Information Services Librarian will be responsible for reference hours in the main reading room of the Research Library and play a central role providing users with research support. We are looking for an individual with a high level of communication and research skills, who will be proactive in helping to build the profile and activities of the Research Library.

Duties and Responsibilities
The Information Services Librarian will:

• Facilitate the use of databases and resources available in the Library, especially PubMed
• Support the research needs of staff, Fellows and corporate clients
• Assist the general public in their use of the library collections
• Provide in-depth reference searches, including searching grey literature
• Play a central role in NYAM’s Junior Fellows Program, helping middle and high school students develop and successfully complete research projects in the library
• Provide teaching and instructional sessions to Junior Fellows and participants in other NYAM programs such as EBEM (evidence-based emergency medicine) workshops
• Maintain and update Library CMS information
• Use social media to communicate Library activities and research results
• Take part in other special projects as required.

This role offers an exciting opportunity to help develop the activities and profile of a new Center dedicated to creating links between recent medicine and public health material and the history of medicine and public health. The Information Services Librarian will work closely with colleagues in the Center, and other NYAM sections. In particular s/he will collaborate with colleagues in the delivery of public services, introducing students from a variety of disciplines to the Center’s collections, and teaching research skills.

Qualifications
• MLS from an ALA-accredited institution (required)
• AHIP credentials (preferred)

Experience and/or Education
Required:

• Reference experience in an academic or research library with a focus on health sciences
• Familiarity with the databases and other reference tools necessary to answer a wide variety of questions related to public health, health policy, and medicine
• A sophisticated understanding of PubMed and an ability to teach it to a variety of different user groups
• Experience engaging with a diverse audiences, from school children, especially secondary school students, to professional
• Strong oral, written and interpersonal communication skills, with an ability to communicate complex ideas in an accessible manner
• Demonstrated commitment to public service
• Excellent computer and web skills
• Physical ability to undertake collection management duties such as movement of books and materials weighing up to 40 lbs., and work in sometimes dusty environments.

Preferred:
• At least 3-5 years reference experience in a large health sciences library
• Teaching experience, particularly with middle and high school students
• Familiarity with medical language and terminology
• Experience using social media.

To Apply
Please email
a resume and cover letter to hr@nyam.org. Please include "Information Services Librarian" in subject line.

The New York Academy of Medicine is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer.

For more information, visit our website: http://www.nyam.org. 

The New York Academy of Medicine is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer.

You can find out more by clicking here. Click on image to see larger, finer version; image above was sourced here.

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"Morbid Curiosity: The Richard Harris Collection," Through July 8, Chicago Cultural Center: Exhibition Report

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I collect images of  "Death" because I am a visual person who takes in information best visually. As I have gotten older the thought of my own demise has begun to enter my conscious thoughts. The universality of "Death," with the realization that we will all die, encouraged me to begin the conversation of my mortality visually rather than talking or reading about it. I believe that there is a larger audience who might also be more comfortable beginning that discussion in a visual way, which is why I always thought of my collection in terms of a public exhibition.

--Richard Harris, the collector whose works are featured in "Morbid Curiosity: The Richard Harris Collection,"in an interview with Morbid Anatomy

Whilst in Chicago a few weeks ago, I had the good fortune to be able to spend a good two hours or so with the works in the profoundly wonderful new exhibition "Morbid Curiosity: The Richard Harris Collection," on view through July 8 at the Chicago Cultural Center. This seriously (!!!) not-to-be-missed exhibition showcases nearly 1,000 works which range from 2000 B.C.E. to the present, from fine art to ephemera, and from Mexican to Japanese to Tibetan to European artist traditions, all drawn from the astounding death-related collection of Richard Harris.

Some of my favorite pieces--featured in the photos above--included Rudolfo Villena Hernandez "A Commemoration of the Bicentennial Proclamation of the Independence of Mexico" (third from bottom); Michel de Spiegelaere's "Macabre Scene," one of the better Frederik Ruysch tableaux recreations I have had the pleasure to see (8-10 from top); a collection of macabre book plates and postcards (4th and 5th from bottom); Roger Reutimann's "Death of Venus" (seventh down), a wonderful collection of 19th Century ceramic German Dance of Death Figures (second from bottom), a carved wooden memento mori figurine from the early 17th century (third from bottom), and Jodie Carie's "In the eyes of Others plaster-cast bone chandelier bringing to mind the wonders of the  Kutná Hora ossuary (fourth down). The installation itself--expertly staged by curator Lucas Cowan--is wonderful as well, evoking the beautiful clutter of the wunderkammer but utilizing clever groupings which draw the eye and invite close investigation rather than overwhelm.

You can see more photos from the exhibition--and find out more about the works seen above--by clicking here. You can find out more on this exhibition on this recent post, on the Chicago Cultural Center website, and on Richard Harris' website. You can watch a gallery walk through and interview with Richard Harris by clicking here.

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'Grey's Anatomy' Recap: Who Met Their Maker in the Deadly Season Finale?

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ABC/BOB D'AMICO

"Grey's Anatomy"

[WARNING: This post contains massive spoilers from Thursday's Season 8 finale of Grey's Anatomy.]

One of Seattle Grace's best and brightest succumbed to injuries sustained in last week's shocking plane crash during Thursday's emotional Season 8 finale of Grey's Anatomy.

After departing the hospital for Boise to help with complicated surgery involving conjoined twins, Meredith, Derek, Cristina, Arizona, Mark and Lexie each sustained injuries and were in various stages of distress.

STORY: 'Grey's Anatomy' Recap: Whose Lives are Hanging in the Balance?

LEXIE Left pinned down under part of the plane with her legs and pelvis crushed, ultimately it was Little Grey, Lexie (Chyler Leigh), whose injuries were the most severe. Despite Mark (Eric Dane) and Cristina's (Sandra Oh) best attempts, Lexie ultimately couldn't be saved. In one of the ABC medical drama's most emotional scenes in its eight seasons, Lexie tells Mark to relay a message to Meredith: She was a good sister and loved. With Cristina frantically looking for Meredith -- who is busy searching for Derek after he was sucked out of the plane -- Mark realizes that there's nothing he can do for Lexie and, in a bittersweet scene as she slips away, he sends her off by telling her that they'll get married and she'll have a bright future as a surgeon.

Meredith, meanwhile, is too late to say goodbye and arrives just after Lexie passes away. As the trio start to search for Derek again, Meredith (Ellen Pompeo) she continues to battle her emotions at the thought that she could lose both her sister and husband as Cristina reveals that she's leaving Seattle if she survives the harrowing ordeal.

STORY: 'Grey's Anatomy's' Shonda Rhimes on the Deadline Finale: 'We're Literally Saying Goodbye to People'

MARK & ARIZONA In shock after Lexie's death, Mark -- who has a huge gash on his chest -- passes out and needs heart surgery as Meredith and Cristina saves his live by draining the blood pooling in his heart. With bone exposed in her leg, Arizona is left in shock from the crash and despite her massive injuries, does her best to help keep Mark alive despite coughing up blood. Realizing that he's slipping away, Mark tells Arizona to take care of "our girl" and realizes that Lexie is waiting for him, as he knows that he'll be OK. Unwilling to accept it, Arizona tells Mark that Callie and Sophia are waiting for him, too, and she needs him to hold on so they can go home -- together. As Mark continues to cling for life, he notes that he should have professed his love for Lexie well before the crash.

The rest is here:
'Grey's Anatomy' Recap: Who Met Their Maker in the Deadly Season Finale?

Blood Transfusions! Hidden Post-Industrial Landscapes! Hitler’s Jewish Clairavoyant! Life Mask and Anatomical Wax Votive Workshops! Drawing from the Bestiary! This Week and Beyond at Observatory.

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An early blood transfusion from lamb to man, ca 1705. From "Tryals Proposed by Mr. Boyle to Dr. Lower, to be Made by Him, for the Improvement of Transfusing Blood out of One Live Animal into Another," Mr. Boyle

I am super excited about a number of great events and classes coming up at Observatory this week and beyond! Tonight we have a lecture on the history of blood transfusion with The London Consortium's force of nature Paul Craddock, while this Friday, Lord Whimsy will return to Observatory to regale us with film and tales relating to his recent "Hidden River Expedition." Newly announced classes--all part of The Morbid Anatomy Art Academy--include workshops with Sigrid Sarda (whom some of you might remember from this recent Midnight Archive episode) teaching students to create wax anatomical votives and life and death masks, and "Drawing from the Bestiary" with Morbid Anatomy favorite artist Saul Chernick; some exciting newly announced lectures include Mel Gordon of Grand Guiginol fame ith an illustrated lecture and screening of “lost footage” about Erik Jan Hanussen: Hitler’s Jewish Clairvoyant taking place Monday June 4th. We also have upcoming screenings of films on psychedelic mushroom tourism in Mexico and the unexpectedly dark history of Jell-O.

Full list of upcoming events follows; Hope to see you at one--if not more!--of these terrific events.

A Most Unexpected History of Blood Transfusion (1660 - 1820s)
Illustrated lecture with Paul Craddock, The London Consortium
Date: TONIGHT Monday, May 14
Time: 8:00
Admission: $5
Presented by Morbid Anatomy

Those living in Britain (who owned a television set) about ten years ago might remember Sean Bean before he became a famous movie star. Apart from his appearance in Sharpe, he starred in a television advertisement for the National Blood Foundation, prompting people in his thick Yorkshire accent to 'do something amazing today'; 'save a life' by giving blood. The foundation's message is still the same, though Sean Bean has moved onto other projects such as Lord of the Rings. In any case, this illustrated lecture is about just that: the transfusion of blood and its many meanings. But it focuses on a much earlier (and stranger) period of transfusion history when saving a life was only one reason to transfuse blood - from the sixteenth century to the nineteenth.

The association between blood and life is a very easy one to make and seems to span all cultures and time periods, as does the very idea of swapping blood from one person to another. But what it meansto swap one being's blood with another's - and why this might be attempted - has radically changed. It is only very recently, (around the turn of the twentieth century), that blood was transfused in order to purposefully replace lost blood. For the majority of this history, this was most certainly not the case. In the seventeenth century, transfusions of lamb's blood were made to calm mad patients and, in the nineteenth century, blood was transfused in order to restore a portion of an invisible living principle living inside of it. This lecture explores from where these ideas came and the ways in which bits of them might linger in our own ideas of transfusion.

On one last note: Paul Craddock commissioned a medical instrument maker to produce some early nineteenth century transfusion equipment. He hopes to demonstrate them at work if he can get them past customs!

Paul Craddock is currently writing on pre-20th century transplant surgery and transfusion at the London Consortiumworking under Prof. Steven Connor (University of London) and Prof. Holly Tucker (Vanderbilt University, Nashville). After a brief time studying music and performing arts, living in rural China, and working for the National Health Service, Paul made the switch to cultural and medical history. He has never had a transplant and never received a transfusion - his interest in these procedures come from thinking about generally how we relate to the material world by making bodily transactions. He has lectured around the UK and Europe, and last year he spoke at the Observatory Gallery on skin grafting. Currently based in London, Paul is the Director of London Consortium Television, the audio-visual arm of the London Consortium (www.londonconsortium.tv). He is also the Guests' Secretary for the University of London's Extra Mural Literature Association. In another professional life, he produces films for medical establishments and museum exhibitions.

6026610110_a5b7e169bf_o1 
The Hidden River Expedition: A Re-Exploration of the Post-industrial Wilderness along Philadelphia’s Rivers: An Illustrated Lecture and Film Screening with Allen Crawford (aka Lord Whimsy)
Date: This Friday, May 18
Time: 8:00
Admission: $5
Presented by Morbid Anatomy

In August of 2011, Allen Crawford (aka Lord Whimsy) left his house to embark on a three-day, forty-mile solo kayak trek from Mount Holly, NJ to Bartram's Garden, in West Philadelphia. This May 18th, Crawford will present a video using footage shot from his kayak during this trek. He will also give a slideshow presentation, highlighting the strange history along these rivers he traversed: fugitive slave enclaves, floating churches, Civil-War era submarines, and derelict aircraft carriers all await you. This expedition was a re-exploration of Philadelphia's landscape, and an investigation of how its built and grown environments have affected each other over time. This landscape is not pristine, but it is wild--and perhaps most important, it's new. The "local frontier" exists!

 Lord Breaulove Swells Whimsy(a.k.a. Victor Allen Crawford III), After twenty long years, has at last achieved his dream: unemployability. He is an artist, designer, author, re-explorer, failed dandy, tin grandee, gentleman trespasser, bushwhacking aesthete, parenthetical naturalist, pseudo-intellectual, and a middle-aged dilettante. Having taken a solemn vow to do as little in life as possible, Whimsy was dismayed one morning to discover that he had accidentally wrote, designed, and illustrated The Affected Provincial’s Companion, Volume One(Bloomsbury 2006), which has been optioned for film by Johnny Depp?
??s production company, Infinitum Nihil. His face and his words have graced the hallowed pages of The New York Times, Interview, Frieze, Vice, Tin House, and Art in America. He and his wife are proprietors of the design and illustration studio Plankton Art Co. Their most notable project to date is the collection of 400 species identification illustrations that are on permanent display at the American Museum of Natural History’s Hall of Ocean Life. A devoted enthusiast, lower-case adventurer, and explorer of what he calls “the local frontier,” Whimsy spends most of his time among the nooks and margins of the forgotten, the curious, and the speculative that is found beneath, around, and between the everyday. He smells like gusto.

And onward and upwards:

You can find out more about all events by clicking here.

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